FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – Earl Dwayne McCutcheon, 40, and Latoya Maria Debose, 27, both of Baltimore, Md., were charged on June 20 with endangering the welfare of a child, a second degree crime.
McCutcheon was also charged with possession of under 50 grams of a controlled dangerous substance believed to be marijuana, a disorderly persons offense.
According to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation, conducted by the Freehold Township Police Department and the Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, was initiated when housekeeping staff at the Days Inn Motel, Route 9, discovered a 5-year-old disabled boy alone in a motel room on the afternoon of June 19.
The Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad transported the child to CentraState Medical Center, West Main Street, where he was examined and found to be in satisfactory condition. It was also learned that the boy suffers from cerebral palsy, as well as a digestive disorder.
Debose, the child’s mother, and her boyfriend, McCutcheon, returned to the motel hours later and were subsequently arrested.
Although McCutcheon is not the father of the victim, the couple has two other children, who were in their company. The Division of Youth and Family Services removed all three children from the couple’s custody.
Investigation revealed that McCutcheon and Debose had taken their two children, a 10-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy, to an amusement park/recreation area for the day, according to the press release.
McCutcheon had his initial appearance on June 20 before Judge Robert C. Blum. McCutcheon remains in the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, with a $150,000 bail.
Debose had her initial court appearance on June 21. Her bail was set at $150,000 with no 10 percent option.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin said, “Those entrusted with the care of children, especially special needs children, must be diligent in caring for them. This couple unjustifiably ignored their responsibility to care for this child. Fortunately, the motel staff discovered the child before greater harm was done.”
The case has been assigned to Assistant Prosecutor Peter J. Boser.